History at University of Maryland-College Park

A history degree from Maryland's flagship university substantially outearns typical outcomes for this major—$42,020 versus the national median of $31,220—putting it in the 95th percentile nationally. That's a meaningful premium worth about $11,000 annually right out of college. Within Maryland, however, this ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing Towson University by roughly $2,000. Still, the strong earnings growth to $53,000 by year four suggests graduates are finding their footing in competitive metro DC careers, where history majors often pivot into government, nonprofits, policy work, or communications.

The debt load of $23,715 is essentially average for history programs, resulting in a manageable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio. For context, that means first-year earnings cover the debt 1.8 times over—a comfortable cushion that gives graduates flexibility to pursue graduate school, public service positions, or entry-level roles that build toward stronger career trajectories. The combination of UMD's research university credentials and proximity to federal employers creates opportunities that most history programs simply can't match.

If your child is genuinely drawn to history and you're in-state, this is one of the better bets in a field where outcomes vary wildly. The earnings justify the investment, especially compared to most alternatives where history majors start closer to $30,000. Just ensure they're thinking strategically about internships and connections in the DC area to maximize the location advantage.